Page 135 of Traitor

"Met an interesting man today," I say, casual as ever. "He was looking for someone. A woman. Wanted to deliver her to hisorder." I pause, watching her reaction. "The Holy Disciples of the Veil. Ever heard of them?"

She swallows hard. "No." The lie comes too fast. Her face is stone. But the slight tremor in her fingers gives her away.

"I'll get your coffee, and then you can leave," she says flatly, turning away. "We won't be serving bikers anymore."

I sigh. "Ria, I'm not here to make trouble for you. But trouble is looking. And it's going to find you, eventually. I want one of my brothers watching you from now on. Discreetly. Just until we're sure those zealot fucks don't follow the one I had averycurious chat with."

Her spine straightens. "I don't need your protection." Her voice is pure fire, like she's daring me to argue.

"I'm sure you can take care of yourself," I say, keeping my voice calm. "But I also know you're Temper's best friend. If you get hurt, she gets hurt." I pin her with a look. "And Ireallydon't want her to get hurt." My voice is deadly dangerous. "So at least accept it for her."

She crosses her arms. "You really like spreading your little biker cult around every woman in your orbit, don't you? First you're watching Temper, now me?"

I rub a hand over my face. "Believe me, I really fucking wish it wasn't necessary. Whether you want it or not, someone will be watching. I just wanted to give you the heads-up. They won't interfere with your life."

I lock eyes with her. "I was coming to talk to you anyway, before I had to deal with that snake whisperer lunatic."

Her brows arch, arms crossing. "They're snakeworshipers,not whisperers. There is a difference." Her tone drips with superiority.

I roll my shoulders, unimpressed. "Whatever the fuck they are, it doesn't matter. If they come here, they won't be anything anymore." My voice is steel, final.

"I was coming to ask you to do something for Temper. She's not sleeping. She's too stressed out. She's drowning in this Jinx shit, and I need her to come up for air. Gather some people she likes this weekend, throw a barbecue. She used to love them, always put her in a good mood when we had them at the clubhouse. Being around people she actually likes helps her reset." I lean against the counter, my gaze sharp. "I'll pay for anything you need."

She tilts her head, eyes dragging over my face like she's searching for something. Then she narrows them. "Five thousand."

My brows furrow. "What?"

She shrugs, completely unbothered. "You said you'd pay for the barbecue. That's the price. I want to buy somegoodquality steak."

A slow smile tugs at my lips. Infuriating woman. But I can't lie — she's fucking hilarious. "And are you feeding that good quality steak to the entire town?"

She flashes her teeth, a smile as sharp as a knife. "No. Just Temper, Layla, me... and Griffin. Oh, and maybe your mama. Temper likes her a lot."

The air turns lethal.

"Griffin?" I hiss, voice low, dangerous.

Her eyes gleam with pure evil. "Of course. Temper likes him. Herelaxesher real good." Her smile widens, watching me unravel. "She is the mostrelaxedafter every meeting with him."

I grit my teeth so hard I swear I taste blood.

I know what she's doing. She's baiting me, digging her little claws in just to watch me burn. And fuck if it isn't working.

I close my eyes, inhale deep.

Bad fucking move.

Because now I see it. The image of Griffin's hands on Temper, his mouth on her, his—

I snap my eyes open, dragging air into my lungs like I've been drowning.

She's smirking. Loving every second of my suffering.

Demon.

"Fine." My voice is gravel. "I'll give you your five grand. Just handle it. If you need help, tell Tank. He'll bring the money, too."

Her mask cracks.

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